Treatment of Non-Traditional Water Sources for Agricultural Irrigation using a Novel Plasma Reactor

The overall goal of the proposed Phase I SBIR program is to develop and demonstrate a new typeof plasma reactor based on a venturi tube geometry which would be an inexpensive and reliablemeans to treat non-traditional (e.g high BOD and high COD) source waters for subsequent use inagricultural drip irrigation. The proposed project plans to design and fabricate a prototype plasma- venturi system with an inlet diameter of 2 inches which will provide a water flow in the range of10 to 30 gallons per minute. For compatibility with the extremely high temperature of plasma (i.e.> 2000K) the prototype venturis will be fabricated from metal during the Phase I project. Theactivities of the project will include: design and fabrication of venturi tube reactors of specificdimensions as directed by a combination of fluid dynamic modeling and practical experimentationincorporation of a high voltage electrode within the reactor assembly of a bench-scale watertreatment system that will incorporate prototype venturi tube plasma reactors and testing primarilyto demonstrate effectiveness for biological deactivation in source water with more limited focus ondemonstration of chemical degradation capabilities in Phase I. The subject technology is relevant tothe USDA goal to commercialize innovative technologies that are developed with the purpose toconserve monitor improve and/or protect the quality and/or quantity of natural resources whilesustaining optimal farm and productivity and profitability.